While the world was focused on the epic wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, we were treated to something that has become somewhat of a tradition since Harry took on the role of Prince in 2006 – namely, a wedding to end all weddings. And what a wedding it was!
The wedding of the decade featured some incredible outfits — most notably, a custom-made wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton and a tie worn by the groom that was so elaborate it took 6 people to carry it. But one of the most memorable moments was definitely when Harry entered the wedding ceremony on a horse – a traditional “wedding bike” – named Florence. It was an incredible display of emotional and physical courage, and it was the perfect way to close out this year’s wedding season.
Since then, it’s been a tradition for the groom to drive his bride around in a custom-made Batmobile. And the automotive masterpiece that is the Batmobile has truly become an integral part of the couple’s royal lifestyles.
So it was no surprise when, earlier this year, the couple decided to take the wraps off their high-end transportation and share some behind-the-scenes details about its unique design and extravagant build with fans. And what they shared was nothing short of incredible!
The Design Process
As we’ve mentioned, the Batmobile has truly become an integral part of the couple’s lifestyle, so it was only natural that they wanted to share the unique design process that went into creating it. And boy, did they ever!
In an interview with Parade magazine, the actor-turned-designer Robert Pattinson discussed the challenges he faced during the design process and how he overcame them. “The first thing I did was I looked at the pictures of Alfie [his black Labrador retriever] sleeping in the back of the car,” he said. “That started it all off. Then I started sketching. It was all very scruffy at first, but then I started to shape it. I had a couple of meetings with Harry and the designer Chris Bangle. I showed them my ideas and they helped me to shape it. I just kept adding more and more ideas and went through so many different concepts. It was a very organic design process.”
Pattinson also addressed some potential criticisms of the Batmobile and how he responded to them. “A few people have said that it looks a bit like a ladybug, but I think it’s beautiful,” he said. “The main criticism I’ve had is that it’s too extravagant. But I wanted it to be a showstopper. As you can see, it is a real showstopper! It’s not everyday you see a car like this.”
In a separate interview with Style Weekly, Pattinson discussed some of the unique design features of the vehicle and why he chose to go with a black paint job instead of a traditional white one.
Features & Benefits
Let’s talk about the most distinctive features of the Batmobile, shall we?
First, it has air vents all over the place so that passengers can still enjoy maximum fresh air even when the car is traveling at high speeds. Second, it’s got an absolutely incredible interior. We’re talking Louis Vuitton bags, Tiffany lamps, and Hermès scarves here! Third, it’s got a built-in wine refrigerator, which means you can bring a bottle of bubbly to an elegant party in the backseat! And finally, since it’s a convertible, you can enjoy a fresh breeze even when the weather is hot. Not to mention that you can also pop the top if needed to let the air out and enjoy some fresh air too.
We can’t talk about the design process without mentioning the benefits of the Batmobile. First off, it’s got four seats for the driver and passengers, so you don’t have to worry about finding a place for everyone to sit comfortably when you’re driving around in style. Second, the car is extremely light due to its unique and ingenious fiberglass construction, which makes it ideal for boosting your driving performance. And last but not least, the convertible top makes it the perfect choice for a warm day. Just fold it back when you get in and enjoy the view. Better yet, why not have the top down and the sun shining on your face? It’s the perfect way to drive.
Who Is Behind This Spectacular Design?
Believe it or not, the Batmobile does not reflect the work of just one person. It was designed, built, and engineered by a team of people – including the incredible Richard Milward, who has 25 years of experience in the automotive field. And what a team they are!
The creative director of the project, designer Chris Bangle, spoke to Vanity Fair about the various members of the team and how they brought their expertise to bear on this project. “It was an incredible team effort,” Bangle said. “We had a really tight knit group of people that came together to make this happen.”
Bangle went on to discuss the challenges they faced and the various decisions they had to make during the design process. ”There were so many challenges,” he said. “As you can imagine, we wanted to keep the vehicle classic yet cool, and we didn’t want to go too far back in design terms either. Most importantly, we wanted to maintain the spirit of the original car while updating it for the modern world.”
Bangle also discussed some of the unique features of the vehicle that made it a bit different from your usual run-of-the-mill car. “There’s definitely a uniqueness about this car that you wouldn’t find in another vehicle,” he said. “For example, the front air dam is actually part of the vehicle’s grill, so when you walk up to it, you won’t see it as a separate piece. It really is an integral part of the design. It’s something you have to experience in person to understand.”
The engineers at Vauxhall worked tirelessly to ensure that all the tiny details matched the vision Bangle and Pattinson had in mind when designing the car. This included the bespoke luggage racks, custom-made headrests, and a stunning full-length custom-made leather coat that weighs a ton and was created with Italian design house Montblanc. It’s safe to say that the engineers did an incredible job and deserve an award for their work!
The list of people involved in the creation of this incredible automotive masterpiece is incredibly long, but we’ll shorten it down to an absolute must-read for anyone interested in cars or design: if you want to build a car that will inspire awe and astonishment in all who see it, then you need to get Chris Bangle and Robert Pattinson on your side. Trust us. You’ll thank us later.